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Degenerative discs can feel more pain.

 

A normal healthy disc only has nerves in the outer 1/3 of the annulus fibrosis.  This means that if there is damage to any other part of the disc there are no nerves and no possible way to feel the pain.  This study showed that after there is damage to the disc the nerves grow throughout the entire disc.  Not only are the nerves all through the disc they have free nerve endings which contribute to increased pain transmission.  This study also showed that there is evidence for pain from these discs being felt in the extremities.    

 

Reference:

Edgar, M. A. (2007). The nerve supply of the lumbar intervertebral disc. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, British Volume, 89(9), 1135-1139.

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